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DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) – Saturday night the NASCAR “regular season” ends. After 26 races the 12 man Chase for the Sprint Cup field will be set. What’s the beauty of Saturday night’s race? We still don’t know the full field of competitors for the Cup.

Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, and Brad Keselowski, all former NASCAR Champions, are in danger of missing the Chase. I see Kurt and Gordon coming through and grabbing the 9th and 10th clinching spots (Currently 10th and 11th). Defending NASCAR champ Brad Keselowski needs help. Lots of help. He’s 15th and winless on the season heading into Saturday’s race. That translates to thanks for playing bud, good luck next year.

If Gordon and Busch both make the Chase, that means somebody has to miss out. That man? Greg Biffle. Just don’t think he’s been a consistent threat all season long, and it will show on Saturday night.

NASCAR wanted drama…. And once again they got it! Bring on Saturday night!

5 RANTS:

This past Sunday night we saw some old school racing baby. I loved it. Cars were going high, low, and wherever they had to in order to make passes. There was no real talk of CLEAN AIR. Thank you! Goodyear’s new tire technology, a nice worn out track surface, and drivers desperate to make up ground in the standings, really helped make that one of the better races this season. That new look tire is set to run again at Kansas later this year. Pray that it is used at TMS!

Kurt Busch is joining Stewart-Haas racing. I am really torn on this one. I like Kurt Busch, love the way he races and brings passion to the racetrack. This move does indeed bring together a team of “outlaws” with Busch, Harvick, and Stewart in 2014. I fear the team will have thin resources, and Busch has to deal with no longer being “the man” as he is with his current team. Personally, I would have stayed on board the 78 ride.

Keeping it in silly season mode, veteran Jeff Burton will be shown the door by RCR once the season ends. This ride is going to either Ryan Newman or Juan Pablo Montoya I believe. My money is on Newman. It’s sad to see yet another veteran shown the door, but let’s face the fact, Burton has done squat in years. Burton will be hard pressed to find another big time ride. Great guy and will be an even better TV commentator in the near future.

When the “Chase for the Cup” playoff system was introduced back in early 2014, I was not on board. Sounded gimmicky, too much like other sports, and was a slap in the face to tradition. Wow things have changed. Now I love the system. It brings intrigue and drama like never before seen. We all fear change, and I know I did when this was brought about. I would make two changes though. Eliminate the two wild cards and tack on even more points for wins. Taking the field down to just 10 would make it easier for novice fans to follow, and putting more emphasis on wins would place more drama on the race track.

The Slap heard around the world. Sunday’s truck series race was more of a UFC event then a race. Brawls, anger, and even a slap dominated the post race headlines. Yes a slap. Driver Max Papis was slapped HARD by Mike Skeen’s girlfriend after her man was involved in a last turn wreck with Papis. Crazy. Papis says the slap dislocated his jaw…. Come on man, really?

Races till the Chase: 1

Next Race: Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Green flag just after 6:30pm